Quick hitch

Abstract

A quick hitch for mounting an implement on a machine. The quick hitch has at least one lug for connection to a machine and a securing mechanism for securing the quick hitch to an implement. The quick hitch also has at least one removable plate for engagement with a surface of an implement.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A quick hitch for mounting an implement on a machine, the quick hitch including:
 at least one lug for connection to a machine; 
 a securing means for engaging a lower lip of an implement to secure the quick hitch to the implement; and 
 a pair of upwardly extending arms each having at least one removable wear plate for engagement with a surface of the implement, 
 wherein the at least one removable wear plate is configured to fit under an upper lip on the implement, 
 wherein the at least one removable wear plate is configured to be removed and replaced by another removable wear plate if the surface becomes worn in use, and 
 wherein the at least one removable wear plate includes a metallic material. 
 
     
     
       2. A quick hitch according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one removable wear plate has a length and a body of the quick hitch has a length and wherein the ratio of the length of the removable wear plate to the length of the body of the quick hitch is less than one to three. 
     
     
       3. A quick hitch according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one removable wear plate has a length and a body of the quick hitch has a length and wherein the ratio of the length of the at least one removable wear plate to the length of the body of the quick hitch is greater than one to six. 
     
     
       4. A quick hitch according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one removable wear plate has a surface that engages the upper lip on the implement in use, and wherein the surface of the at least one removable wear plate is sloped. 
     
     
       5. A quick hitch according to  claim 1 , including at least two removable wear plates for engagement with the surface of the implement. 
     
     
       6. A quick hitch according to  claim 1 , wherein the metallic material comprises steel. 
     
     
       7. A quick hitch for mounting an implement on a machine, the quick hitch including:
 an enclosure, the enclosure including at least one lug for connection to a machine, the enclosure accommodating a securing means for securing the quick hitch to the implement, the securing means having an actuator housed in the enclosure, the securing means further having a first position in which the quick hitch is secured to the implement and a second position in which the quick hitch is not secured to the implement, the enclosure further including a first aperture and a second aperture through which respective first and second portions of the securing means extend when the securing means is in the first position, wherein each of the first and second portions of the securing means is coupled to the actuator, 
 wherein the enclosure further includes at least one removable wear plate for engagement with a surface of the implement. 
 
     
     
       8. A quick hitch according to  claim 7 , wherein the securing means includes a signal means, the signal means having a first position for signaling that the quick hitch is secured to the implement when the securing means is in the first position and a second position for signaling that the quick hitch is not secured to the implement when the securing means is in the second position, and wherein the enclosure further includes an opening through which a portion of the signal means may extend. 
     
     
       9. A quick hitch according to  claim 8 , wherein the signal means is connected to the actuator. 
     
     
       10. A quick hitch according to  claim 8 , wherein the opening includes a cover for preventing the ingress of dirt or debris into the enclosure and through which the portion of the signal means may extend. 
     
     
       11. A quick hitch according to  claim 10 , wherein the cover includes a plurality of bristles, and/or wherein the cover includes at least one brush. 
     
     
       12. A quick hitch according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one lug is provided on an exterior surface of the enclosure. 
     
     
       13. A quick hitch according to  claim 8 , wherein the portion of the signal means extends through the opening when the signal means is in the first position and/or the second position. 
     
     
       14. A quick hitch according to  claim 7 , wherein the actuator is a manual actuator. 
     
     
       15. A quick hitch according to  claim 14 , wherein the manual actuator comprises a single handle. 
     
     
       16. A quick hitch according to  claim 7 , wherein the actuator is an electric actuator. 
     
     
       17. A quick hitch for mounting an implement on a machine, the quick hitch including:
 an enclosure, the enclosure including at least one lug for connection to a machine, the enclosure accommodating a securing means for securing the quick hitch to the implement, the securing means having a first position in which the quick hitch is secured to the implement and a second position in which the quick hitch is not secured to the implement, the enclosure further including a first aperture and a second aperture through which respective first and second portions of the securing means extend when the securing means is in the first position, 
 wherein the securing means includes a signal means, the signal means having a first position for signaling that the quick hitch is secured to the implement when the securing means is in the first position and a second position for signaling that the quick hitch is not secured to the implement when the securing means is in the second position, 
 wherein the enclosure further includes an upper surface having an opening through which a portion of the signal means may extend, and 
 wherein the opening includes a cover for preventing the ingress of dirt or debris into the enclosure and through which the portion of the signal means may extend.